Thursday 18 October 2018
More than 300 households have so far completed the Household Expenditure Survey, but 700 more are needed to ensure a representative sample is gained.
To achieve this, the survey team has just been expanded to make sure they can reach the number of households needed to take part.
The dual purpose of the survey is to update the basket of goods used to calculate inflation and to create the Household Expenditure Report, which provides insights to how consumers' spending patterns change over time. The calculation of Guernsey retail price inflation measures, are based on the price change of items within a very large 'shopping basket'. Whilst some prices rise over time, others will fall and the indices represent the average change in these prices. It is vital that the items in the basket are updated so they remain relevant to current spending habits in Guernsey.
The survey team is appealing to the households randomly selected (who will get a letter through the post) to consider the importance of the results of the survey, which will be used to inform various States policies as well as by employers, estate agents, pension providers and others. Households that have not been selected are also welcome to take part.
Sheila Cameron, Project Leader, said
"We often hear from people who think they shouldn't take part as they are not representative. Our response is that there is no such thing as an average or typical household - it's the mix of all types of households combined which will produce the average figures. We are inviting everyone to join in - from single person households, to big families, to house-sharers. As a thank you for taking part every household is offered the choice of either a ticket to our quarterly cash prize draw with a top prize of £500, or a £25 dining voucher for one of Randall's local restaurants."
To find out more or to volunteer to take part (at any time until April 2019) visit www.gov.gg/hes, email hes@gov.gg or phone 01481 717188.
The results of the last survey are published here www.gov.gg/household
Inflation figures are published here: www.gov.gg/rpi
